Online education has been one of the most significant trends in higher education in the past decade, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. More and more universities are offering online courses, degrees, and certificates to reach a wider and more diverse audience of learners. However, online education also poses many challenges and opportunities for both educators and students, especially in terms of how to create and deliver value through artificial intelligence (AI).
AI value is the term used to describe the benefits and outcomes that AI can provide for various stakeholders in different contexts. For example, AI value can be measured by the impact of AI on student learning, engagement, retention, satisfaction, and employability. AI value can also be assessed by the efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation of AI in enhancing teaching, assessment, feedback, and support.
AI value matters because it can help online educators and students achieve their goals and aspirations, as well as address the challenges and limitations of online education. For instance, AI can help online educators design and deliver personalized and adaptive learning experiences, provide timely and constructive feedback, monitor and improve student progress and performance, and foster collaboration and community among online learners. AI can also help online students access and interact with high-quality and relevant content, develop and demonstrate their skills and competencies, receive and act on feedback, and connect and communicate with their peers and instructors.
How are online pioneers pursuing AI value?
Online pioneers are the universities and institutions that are leading the way in adopting and implementing AI in online education. They are not only using AI to enhance their existing online offerings, but also creating new and innovative online programs and courses that leverage the potential of AI. Some examples of online pioneers and their AI initiatives are:
- Arizona State University (ASU): ASU is one of the largest and most innovative online providers in the US, with more than 200 online degree programs and over 100,000 online students. ASU uses AI to power its adaptive learning platform, ASU Sync, which allows online students to access personalized and interactive content, assessments, and feedback. ASU also uses AI to support its online tutors, mentors, and coaches, who provide guidance and assistance to online students throughout their learning journey.
- University of London (UoL): UoL is one of the oldest and most prestigious online providers in the world, with more than 50,000 online students from over 180 countries. UoL uses AI to enhance its online courses and degrees, such as the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, which is delivered in partnership with Coursera and Goldsmiths, University of London. UoL uses AI to provide online students with personalized learning pathways, adaptive assessments, and automated feedback. UoL also uses AI to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and collaboration among online students, as well as to connect them with industry mentors and employers.
- Deakin University: Deakin University is one of the leading online providers in Australia, with more than 15,000 online students and over 200 online courses and degrees. Deakin University uses AI to power its digital learning environment, DeakinSync, which enables online students to access and engage with rich and immersive content, such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Deakin University also uses AI to support its online teachers and students, such as through its AI chatbot, Genie, which provides personalized and proactive assistance and advice to online students, and its AI tool, Dscribe, which helps online teachers create and caption video content.
What are the challenges and opportunities for AI value in online education?
AI value in online education is not without its challenges and opportunities. Some of the key challenges and opportunities are:
- Data and ethics: AI value depends on the availability and quality of data, as well as the ethical and responsible use of data. Online education generates a large amount of data, such as student interactions, behaviors, preferences, and outcomes. However, online educators and students need to ensure that the data is accurate, reliable, and secure, and that the data is used in a transparent, fair, and respectful manner, respecting the privacy and consent of the data subjects.
- Quality and standards: AI value needs to be aligned with the quality and standards of online education, as well as the expectations and needs of online educators and students. Online education requires a high level of quality and standards, such as in terms of the design, delivery, and assessment of online courses and degrees, as well as the accreditation and recognition of online qualifications. Online educators and students need to ensure that the AI value is consistent, valid, and reliable, and that the AI value is relevant, useful, and meaningful for their online learning goals and outcomes.
- Innovation and collaboration: AI value can be enhanced by the innovation and collaboration of online educators and students, as well as other stakeholders, such as AI developers, researchers, and industry partners. Online education offers a unique opportunity for innovation and collaboration, as it allows online educators and students to access and experiment with new and emerging AI technologies, tools, and methods, as well as to share and exchange their AI experiences, insights, and feedback. Online educators and students need to embrace and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and to leverage the AI value for their online learning improvement and advancement.
Conclusion
Online education is driving the demand for AI value, as online educators and students seek to optimize and maximize their online learning experiences and outcomes. Online pioneers are pursuing AI value by using AI to create and deliver personalized, adaptive, and interactive online courses and degrees, as well as to support and enhance online teaching, learning, and assessment. However, online educators and students also face challenges and opportunities for AI value, such as in terms of data and ethics, quality and standards, and innovation and collaboration. Online educators and students need to be aware and proactive in addressing these challenges and opportunities, and to strive for achieving and demonstrating AI value in online education.
